The combined MD&M East and Plastec East shows in N.Y.C. in June presented intriguing developments for medical injection molders.

Although we previewed a number of new developments in hot-runners at NPE 2009 in our May and June issues, the big show in Chicago served up still more new offerings for PET preforms, medical parts, caps and closures, and more.

If a better machine can help your company beat challenging economic conditions, you’ll probably find it at NPE. And finding it will be easier, thanks to our editors’ efforts to sift out of some 2000 exhibits the most significant news in injection and blow molding, extrusion, compounding, and thermoforming.

A new series of hot-runner valve gates for use with abrasive compounds, semi-crystalline engineering resins, and general-purpose thermoplastics comes from Manner International LP, Lawrenceville, Ga.

Pneumatically controlled valve-gate nozzles from Manner International LP, Norcross, Ga., designed for direct side-gating of tubular parts or applications that require lateral injection, have been extended from a two-drop system to include a four-drop configuration.

Electrically driven valve pins, a low-cost alternative to valve-gating, mold-mounted temperature controllers, and new components for fast color changes are some of a host of new components and systems unveiled at the giant NPE 2006 show in Chicago this past June. (Some brand-new introductions since the show are also included in this report.) The news includes runnerless products aimed at everything from micromolding to shot weights up to 17.4 lb.

Energy-saving all-electric machines will continue to be a big draw at NPE, where new designs or upgraded models will be found in virtually every press maker’s booth.